Loving the Raygun Gothic Rocketship!

The talented creators of the Raygun Gothic Rocketship, which is part of the Black Rock Arts Foundation Civic Arts Program, received this drawing the other day. The artist had been to San Francisco and fallen in love with the Rocketship and wanted to creator to have a copy, so we are sharing this graphite rendering with you. This is what the artist had to say!

Dear Raygun Gothic Rocket Creators,

I was unaware that this magnificent sculpture existed until I went to San Francisco last November. The Raygun is a fantasy come to life. My only regret is that it’s not a bit closer to where I live so I could visit it again and again. While there, I took several photos for my own enjoyment, but decided I had to draw a study in graphite (If I can’t have the real thing, then at least I can have a picture on my wall) which I wanted to share with you.

I am a printer by profession, but create works on paper in pencil and occasionaly sell a piece here and there.

Thank you for making a SF geek’s dream come to life. Please enjoy the drawing.

artist: Christiane Raymond

Fashion in Russia!

One of our 2009 Grantees, Cardboardia, in Moscow, put on a Haute Couture Fashion Show recently and it is delightful. It put a big smile on my face!

Valiant Flower

Picture 057, a photo by arts.commission on Flickr.

A crowd gathers around Karen Cusolito's Valiant Flower on Market Street. It is part of Market Street Blooms. The Black Rock Arts Foundation collaborated with the San Francisco Arts Commission.

Kind of looks like a tour group. What do you think?

Happy 4th of July from Bliss Dance

Bliss danced with her friends, and photographer Sidney Erthel on the 4th of July and we hope your holiday was just as beautiful. Sidney Erthal’s 2010 Burning Man photos

A treat showed up in our email box last week from Roy Two Thousand, who I met at the Bliss Dance Opening Ceremony on Treasure Island. He sent a time lapse video with his original music, of the Opening.



To read more about the Bliss Dance Opening Ceremony – Click Here

BRAF Represents at Desert Arts Preview

The Desert Arts Preview is Burning Man's very popular annual artist lecture series, where you are given a sneak preview of some of the many notable art projects in progress right now for Burning Man 2011. You hear directly from artists who are creating spectacular works of art, often in highly collaborative ways. Some have been doing work on the playa many years and will be sharing humorous war stories associated with creating art under extreme conditions.

Once again the Black Rock Arts Foundation was invited to speak. Tomas McCabe, our Executive Director spoke about both our Civic Arts Program and ScrapEden Program and Josie Schmike, our Program and Development Assistant, spoke about the Grants to Artists Program. I loved it and hope you did too.

Desert Arts Preview Webcast

photos: Patricia "Aishah" Rusich

Spire of Fire Lights Up Downtown Reno

Fire and music create a gathering for hundreds of participants each Tuesday and Wednesday night in July as part of Artown. Over 1,000 people gathered at the corner of Sierra Street and Island Ave for the opening of the temporary interactive art installation and performance venue. Hundreds of adults and children have enjoyed the unique experience of controlling a pulsing tower of flame effects while DJ’s spin dance music for the performers and pubic alike.

Brought to Reno by the Black Rock Arts Foundation and exhibited at Burning Man in 2010, Spire of Fire, by artists Steve Atkins and Eric Smith, towers over 48 feet above the Riverwalk. The tower of pulsing flame effects will be the site of continued fire dance performances by Controlled Burn each Tuesday night at 8:30pm, with “Get Hooped” taking over Wednesdays with Velocity Movement and BoHo Hoops. All of the performances are free to the public with Tuesdays featuring a beer and wine garden provided by Wild River Grille.

“We believe the ongoing exhibition of Spire of Fire during Artown will ignite the community’s passions in many ways,” said Crimson Rose, Member Board of Directors, BRAF and Art Director for Burning Man. “By enhancing civic space through the temporary transformation of an empty lot into an inviting art space and establishing a creative gathering spot for Reno citizens, BRAF continues to bring the culture of Burning Man to downtown Reno for those who have never experienced the event in the desert.”

During Artown, fire dancers and spinners from Controlled Burn will entertain Tuesday evenings 8:30pm – 10:00pm.

Hula Hoopers from Velocity Movement and BoHo Hoops present “GET HOOPED” at Hoop Jams on Wednesday evenings from 7:00pm-8:30pm. All levels and ages are welcome.

Mark Hammon’s photos of the Spire of Fire Opening

Spire of Fire photos

Jim Freeman’s from “Downtown Reno” Photos

video: Freddy Hahne
photos: Mark Hammon

Ecstasy again

Ecstasy again, a photo by K Jurgens on Flickr.

Click on the photo to see the comments about how much San Francisco loves Ecstasy and this multi-dimentional photo of her!

Raygun Rocketship

Raygun Rocketship, a photo by littlewonderpics on Flickr.

San Francisco is still loving the Raygun Gothic Rocketship. So do we!

The Bike Bridge

A program participant of the Bike Bridge welds her bike in the welding course, hosted by The Crucible.
A program participant of the Bike Bridge paints her bike in the Art-Bike course, hosted by The Crucible

The Black Rock Arts Foundation is thrilled to announce the award of $10,000 granted from the National Endowment for the Arts for our newest project, The Bike Bridge. This new project, which launched in April of 2011, is the next evolution of our community-focused public art projects. This educational and creative program is designed specifically to engage youth living on Oakland, California.

The Bike Bridge is a collaboration with the youth of Oakland, artist Michael Christian, and with partner organization The Crucible. The 12 enrolled participants, all young women, begin the project with classes in welding and art-bicycle creation, generously hosted by The Crucible. The program culminates in the collaborative creation of a large-scale sculpture made entirely of reclaimed bicycle parts, led by Christian.

In the second phase of the project, artist Christian will work with The Crucible’s instructors and the youth participants to design a “skeleton” structure that can later be embellished by the youths. These embellishments will be made of reclaimed bicycle parts, connecting with “green,” urban bike culture and tapping into the exciting, creative buzz around “art” bikes.

The Bike Bridge sculpture is designed to be the centerpiece of the City of Oakland’s new Uptown Merritt Art Park, to be located adjacent to the Fox Theater in the city’s newly revitalized Uptown district. The City of Oakland was also awarded an N.E.A. grant, in the amount of $200,000, a portion of which will fund the development of the new park. Plans pending, The Bike Bridge sculpture will act as a gateway to the park, which will also feature temporary exhibitions of large-scale works of art.

N.E.A.’s grant of $10,000 sets this ambitious project in motion. Fundraising efforts are underway to meet the project’s overall budget of $60,000. Help us reach our goal!

DONATE NOW

Read more about the project and about the grant from the National Endowment for the Arts press release

See more photos of works in progress on our flickr page

A shout out in Leah Garchick’s Column for the Bike Bridge

The Bike Bridge project is funded in part by a grant from The National Endowment for the Arts. The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government that has awarded more than $4 billion on projects of artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector. To join the discussion on how art works, visit the National Endowment for the Arts at arts.gov.

photos courtesy of the Crucible

Ghana ThinkTank - 2011 Grantee

The Ghana ThinkTank is developing the First World. Ghana Thinktank is a worldwide network of think tanks creating strategies to resolve local problems in the "developed" world. The network is composed of people from all walks of life and levels of expertise and began with groups in Ghana, Cuba and El Salvador. It has since expanded to include Serbia, Mexico, Ethiopia, Iran, and a group of incarcerated girls in the U.S. prison system.

These think tanks analyze First World problems and propose solutions, which are enacted in the community where the problems originated – whether those solutions seem impractical or brilliant. The success or failure of the solutions is documented and sent back to the think tanks, initiating another round of dialogue and action. For exhibitions, The Ghana Thinktank manifests as elaborate installations that document the entire process and involve audience participants in each step.

The Ghana ThinkTank in Corona involves a custom-built teardrop trailer designed to journey into different locales in the “First” world, collecting community and personal issues, and sending them to think tanks in Ghana, Cuba, El Salvador, Mexico, Serbia, Iran, Afghanistan, and others…

Once we receive the solutions, our trailer rolls back into the communities, this time as a mobile workstation, so that we can work with community members to apply the solutions we have received from our global network of think tanks.

The Ghana Think Tank operates in Corona May 21 – Aug 14.

El Ghana ThinkTank en Corona utiliza un remolque hecho a la medida para viajar entre los diferentes niveles del “Primer mundo.” El remolque sirve de punto de recogida para problemas de la comunidad y asuntos personales. Despues de la fase de collección las problemas serán eviadas a nuestra red de gabinetes estrategicos en Ghana, Cuba, El Salvador, México, Serbia, Irán, y Afganistán para ser resueltas.

Una vez que recibamos las soluciones, nuestro remolque volverá a las comunidades de Corona, esta vez como una estación de trabajo móvil para aplicar las soluciones que hemos recibido.

El Ghana ThinkTank opera en Corona desde mayo 21 hasta agosto 14.

The Ghana ThinkTank in Corona is supported by the Queens Museum of Art, Creative Time, the Black Rock Arts Foundation, Puffin Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Lily Auchincloss Foundation, and The Greenwall Foundation. Additional funding provided by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and New York State Council on the Arts.

MARKET STREET BLOOMS: 20-Foot Flower Sculptures In Central Market

MARKET STREET BLOOMS: 20-Foot Flower Sculptures In Central Market, a photo by mcgrayjr on Flickr.

I love this shot of Karen Cusolito's Dandelion. I do not think I have seen this level of detail before. Thanks mcgrayjr

Bliss Dance - Flying Her Colors

Bliss Dance was flying her colors for a few days last week. Thought you might like to see it.

photo: Jeff Steinmetz

Spire of Fire Comes to Reno, NV

A few shots of the Fire of Spire Installation:

Spire of Fire, by local Reno artists Steve Atkins and Eric Smith, is BRAF’s fourth installation at our public art venue in Reno, Nevada, and will be on display June 20 – Nov. 15, 2011, on the corner of Sierra Street and Island Avenue, on the bank of the Truckee River in downtown Reno.

Join us to celebrate this ongoing collaboration with the Reno community!

Friday, June 24, 2011

The River Walk
Sierra St. at Island Ave
Reno, NV
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

- Dj's spinning form 5:00 - 10:00 pm

- Hula Hoop Jam with Velocity Movement from 5:00 - 8:00 pm

- Controlled Burn and Friends spin fire 8:30 - 10:00

- Artwork's fire effects alight! 8:30 - 10:00

- Wine and Beer will be sold as a BRAF fundraiser, courtesy of Wild River Grill

- and be sure to catch all the activities on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings during Artown. Free fun for the family!

photos: Larry DeVincenzi

The Mobule on Tour - First Stop, Paris

One of our 2011 grant recipients, Mobule is going to be touring beginning in Paris, opening the FUTUR EN SEINE FESTIVAL, on June 19th. Then on to Barcelona, London, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The Mobule is a travelling video sculpture that passes on recorded 'messages of love' from one city's citizens to those of the next. This eight-foot balloon appears at night in public streets. Illuminated from within, it displays a video projection of a large eye. The eye searches and focuses on passers by, selects individuals and pursues them. Once in proximity of the individual, a recorded message from another individual, from the previous city of the tour, appears in the eye. Once the individual receives the message, he/she is invited to wear the 'space helmet' that controls the eye. The mystery of how the Mobule operates is revealed, and the individual may control its next interaction. Participants are also then invited to leave a video message for the next city's residents. The Mobule is scheduled to tour Paris, Barcelona, London, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Tour Schedule: Save the dates! More details TBA!

- Paris: Esplanade du Trocadero, July 7 - 8, 2011, from 9pm to
midnight
- Barcelona: Location TBD, July 21 - 22, 2011, from 9pm to midnight
- London: Tate Modern, August 4 - 5, 2011, from 9pm to midnight
- NYC: Location TBD, August 18 - 19, 2011, from 9pm to midnight
- Los Angeles: Location TBD, August 25 - 26, 2011, from 9pm to
midnight
- San Francisco: Location TBD, September 8 - 9, 2011, from 9pm to
midnight
- Miami: Location TBD, September 15 - 16, 2011, from 9pm to midnight

The Mobule is seeking more venues and events to visit. Please contact
the artist if you know of any opportunities or venues in the times
and locations listed above.

The Mobule will need volunteers for the following locations!

- London: Tate Modern, August 4 - 5, 2011
- NYC: Location TBD, August 18 - 19, 2011
- Los Angeles: Location TBD, August 25 - 26, 2011
- San Francisco: Location TBD, September 8 - 9, 2011
- Miami: Location TBD, September 15 - 16, 2011

For each location, the project needs:

- A local manager to:
* Suggest the best area of the city to present the show
* Ask for authorizations for such street performance
* PR staff to promote the Mobule to local and national media
- 2 volunteers to manage the audience during the art performance
- Accommodation to put up 2 operators during 6 nights

Read about the Mobule on artist Ludale's website at www.ludale.fr

Or read about Mobule in the Design Milk blog:
design-milk.com/get-out-mobule/

See prototypes of Mobule here: bit.ly/kc9uje

Contact the artist at ludo@ludale.fr

I am so excited I am going to get to see this in San Francisco and I will be looking forward to seeing what New York City has to say to San Francisco. We hope you will follow its tour and check it out if it is coming to your town.

Detroit Dream Project

Detroit Dream Project, a photo by Laughing Squid on Flickr.

Did you know that when Scott Beale from Laughing Squid went to Detroit a few months ago he stopped to take a few photos of the Detroit Dream Project. One of our Civic Arts Projects by David Best and Crew. Thanks Scott.

Market Street Blooms sculpture by Karen Cusolito

Market Street Blooms sculpture by Karen Cusolito, a photo by Timbuk2 Designs on Flickr.

Bliss Dance on Treasure Island

Bliss Dance on Treasure Island, a photo by Michael Holden on Flickr.

Spire of Fire Comes to Reno, NV

Spire of Fire, by local Reno artists Steve Atkins and Eric Smith, is BRAF’s fourth installation at our public art venue in Reno, Nevada, and will be on display June 20 – Nov. 15, 2011, on the corner of Sierra Street and Island Avenue, on the bank of the Truckee River in downtown Reno.

Join us to celebrate this ongoing collaboration with the Reno community!

Friday, June 24, 2011

The River Walk
Sierra St. at Island Ave
Reno, NV
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

- Dj's spinning from 5:00 - 10:00 pm

- Hula Hoop Jam from 5:00 - 8:00 pm

- Controlled Burn and Friends spin fire 8:30 - 10:00

- Artwork's fire effects alight! 8:30 - 10:00

- Wine and Beer will be sold as a BRAF fundraiser, courtesy of Wild River Grill

- and be sure to catch all the activities on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings during Artown. Free fun for the family!

To Read More about the Spire of Fire CLICK HERE

photo: Leo Sauerman

ScrapEden Collaborates with Levi Strauss & Co. Community Day

The Black Rock Arts Foundation, as part of our ScrapEden Program helped Levi Strauss & Co. with their May 5th Community Day, during which Levi's employees in San Francisco leave their regular office responsibilities behind and volunteer at Bay Area non-profits. BRAF was given a special role this year, supporting the company's efforts to be better caretakers of the planet and reduce both water consumption and material waste in their manufacturing and ordering processes.

Over a dozen BRAF volunteers sculpted a literal "mountain" out of samples and scraps of Levi's and Dockers that are produced each year to help demonstrate the scale of waste, the importance of reducing and re-using such items and

to encourage recycling usable samples vs. throwing them away. The mountain, which was installed at Levi's Plaza was impressive, but represented just 10% of the some 71,000 articles of clothing samples generated each year that are otherwise unusable for Levi's but perfectly good for other uses. BRAF was thrilled to be part of a project that is helping a major manufacturer in America to use creativity and art to inspire its employees to reduce, reuse and recycle. Everyone was so inspired and an absolute pleasure to work with!
Some highlights of note:



Artist Miranda Caroligne created a stage backdrop entirely out of Dockers samples and the president of Levi's stood in front of it and stressed the importance of minimizing waste and considering the impact the company is having on the planet. She also created recycled table runners and decor that underscored this point.



Miranda also led the planning of a team of artists and Levi's employees that converted waste denim into moving bags for a Homeless Prenatal program to provide young women with re-usable shoulder bags that could be initially used to move them into permanent housing. It is the hope that they will keep these bags and also use them for laundry and shopping. Levi's employees helped sew and decorate the bags with messages such as "Love" and "Home Sweet Home", using bits of trim and fabric that were machine and hand sewn onto the bags.
Other artists involved with this important effort were Tammy Hulva of Tamo Designs (who also DJed for the volunteers for inspiration), Silver of Silver Lucy Designs, Boy Blondie of the Burning Man Cafe and Special Events Team and BRAF's very own Josie Schimke. In all 86 shoulder bags were created that day and four were auctioned off to raise funds for the program.

Scatha Allison of Miss Velvet Cream led a team of Levi's employees in creating 25 bean bag chairs out of salvaged materials for the Edgewood Center youth program and a banner that says "GO EAGLES!"

People loved working with Scatha and the program director sent a letter commending her and thanking her for making the day so productive and so much fun. Apparently everyone wants to sit in those beanbag chairs at the Center now! They're very popular with the kids there.

BRAF volunteers also helped to sort items working with Goodwill and scraps and damage items were sorted to become other kinds of social benefit items and avoid becoming landfill. Truckloads of materials were brought out of storage and repurposed that day!

And to add to the festivities, Shovelman played his shovel to welcome back the nearly 900 Levi's employees that volunteered that day at some 23 Bay Area charities and non-profits around the city.



It was a grand day all around!
To see many more great photos
CLICK HERE

author: $teven Ra$pa

photos: Kasey Neuenschwander

Bliss Dance Treasure Island

Bliss Dance Treasure Island, a photo by davidyuweb on Flickr.